Chauvet Kinta311x weird

[skintner]

Hi again...
The Chauvet Kinta is a one channel fixture with 13 control values

Control value Rotating Direction Speed (Step per second)

0 counterclockwise 0 step/sec
2-24 counterclockwise 60 stp/sec
25-50 counterclockwise 40 stp/sec
51-76 counterclockwise 24 stp/sec
77-102 counterclockwise 15 stp/sec
103-127 counterclockwise 8 stp/sec (stutter)
128 0 stp/sec
129-153 clockwise 8 stp/sec (stutter)
154-179 clockwise 15 stp/sec
180-205 clockwise 24 stp/sec
206-231 clockwise 40 stp/sec
232-250 clockwise 60 stp/sec
255 stand alone

I selected a scan/moving head fixture type but that's probably wrong...

Just checked out custom but since it's a one channel fixture, Only have one line for description/location (which I don't really know what they mean).

I'm trying but something just isn't clicking in my brain... most likely because of the cheap-ass fixtures I bought along the way.

Right now I see Ch , Description, Locate, and Default...
I don't see how to add rows nor do I understand where to add what...

sheesh... where was plug-n-play when they were devising DMX? (I realise sound active or auto > chases is in place of plug-n-play)

this seems way harder than it should be...

thanks for your help...
steve

[Shannon D]

Steve,
I made the fixture for you. I used a custom form to build it. When you have a fixture that uses a channel for multiple things like built in programs, you can use the "Macros" to work this out. Actually, I could of used the gobo rotation channel and it would still work. This file is not tested because I don't have that light, but it should work. You may want to change the macro pictures to something else, but I thought those would work fine.

I think you should take some time to really get your hands around Fixture Creator. Understanding it, is the foundation to understanding what's going on with FS behind the scenes. Open different fixtures and look around to see how those were created. This will help you down the road. Understanding how and why the fixtures react the way they do will help you when it comes time to troubleshoot problems. I understand you anxious to get things rolling, but sometimes you have to go slow, to fast. You don't want to be on a gig later on and can't figure out why things aren't working correctly.

One day you will look back and will wonder why you were struggling so much with this. It's really not that hard. There are no rules in DMX. Its all about your imagination. You just have to think out the box sometimes. You will get this. Just keep at it and keep cool!

Cheers!

SD

[dmxlighting]

sheesh... where was plug-n-play when they were devising DMX?

steve

It's from the dark ages (and then there was light!) so you are right DMX is rubbish by modern standards

Anybody interested in the roots of this wonderful protocal should have a look here :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-485 (DMX or digital multiplex is RS485. A very old American protocal)

In some more years to come we will more often be using something better called RDM. Its around now but not on the cheaper stuff most of us lot have. Still not really plug and play though!

[skintner]

Thanks, Shannon D... I believe I am making some progress... I guess the frustration thing has to do (at least in part) with the really sparse documentation. Personally, I thought the Obey 40 should have had some documentation that explained the "16 channels per fixture" but that's all past now. I am making some progress (as in courage to try) and can see things happening between FS and EV...

dmxlighting... thanks for the link. I think I will read the link just to increase the fullness in my brain

I know this is going to be fun when I get it figured out.

I really appreciate all the help!
steve

[Shannon D]

Actually, on page 6 the manual says:

Features
• Universal DMX-512 controller
• Controls up to 12 intelligent lights of up to 16 channels each
• 30 banks of 8 scenes, 240 scenes max
• 192 DMX channels of control
• 6 sets of chases containing 240 scenes
• Reversible sliders
• Re-assignable channels
• Sequential linking of chases
• Fog & strobe control buttons
• Grab any fixture on the fly
• Beat activation, tap-sync and auto run
• Polarity selector
• 3 space 19" rack mount
• MIDI compatible

Product Description
The Obey™40 is a universal intelligent lighting controller. It allows the control of 12 fixtures
composed of 16 channels each and up to 240 programmable scenes...............



and page 9 has a chart showing the fixture addressing for all 12 fixtures with dip switch settings!!


Chauvet use to have a section called "DMX Primer" in every manual. It gave a quick run down of DMX for new B's. Not sure why they stopped putting that in the manuals.

I do understand that a person with no knowledge of DMX can really be over whelmed with trying to get grips with it. I was once there. Others help me along the way, so I'm here to return the favor!

Peace!

SD

[skintner]

Hi again, SD...
I read the documentation that came with my Obey 40 numerous times while trying to get it to work... probably read right through that and never comprehended what it meant. I'll have to find it and read it again. I know what it means *now* because guys like you have shared your knowlege with me. BTW, does what it says there mean the Obey has chases built in?

The DMX Primer is still included in their fixture documentation... not much more than an brief explanation about addressing. Not much help to me. However, if you needed me to troubleshoot and repair a computer, I wouldn't need a manual.

Most things come fairly easy to me but this DMX thing is a real pisser of a challenge... not so much now.

Thanks again,
steve

[Shannon D]

The built in chases your referring to is just the amount of chases and scenes it's capable of holding. There are no "pre-programmed" chases or scenes for you to just play with using your lights. They can't do that with that kind of controller because there are so many different lights with different personalities that this controller works with. Now that you have the adapter made and your playing with the lights using FS, I would forget about the Obey. Or sell it, haha. I actually still have my Chauvet DMX55 controller, but haven't turned it on in probably 4 years.

[skintner]

Ok, more weirdness... I plugged in the Kinta to my Obey 40, set to channel 1 and terminated. Turned everything on and slider one on fixture 1 gets a motor going inside the thing that I can hear but no light. I engaged slider 2 and the lights come one. Chauvet's manual says it's a one channel fixture and that is what the uploaded fixture file is for. When I connect the Kinta in the FS chain it responds to FS with only a control slider on channel one and there is no light.

I don't know how to add the light funtions that the Obey seems to just know. What now? Add another channel to the fixture file and tell it what?

Thanks
steve

[skintner]

I thought I posted that I solved the problem by adding a second channel in FC... it's functioning properly now and I will upload the file.

steve

[Spirit]

Hey i have taken a Look at it and it seems oke.
Only 3things needs to be Cleared up.

1) There is NO Locate Value. i would recommend to set the locate value on "light 255" look at Channel Description.
2) There is NO blackout Value. the Blackout value is "Shutter closed", say put channel 2 on the Shutter CH. with a Value "0"

3) and this is just a Quastion, Does the Light channel 2 React as a Dimmer?

/spirit